A fifth human case of Eastern Equine Encephalitis virus in Massachusetts has been diagnosed a man in his 70s from southwestern Middlesex County, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health said. Officials in Ashland confirmed the patient is a resident of that town. As a result, the risk level in Ashland, Hopedale and Milford has been raised to critical and the risk level in Bellingham, Blackstone and Millville has been raised to high.In total, there are 32 communities now at critical risk, 39 at high risk, and 121 at moderate risk for the EEE virus in Massachusetts. There have also been nine confirmed cases of EEE this year in animals; eight horses and one goat.All residents throughout the Commonwealth should continue to use mosquito repellent and those in high and critical risk communities should consider staying indoors during the dusk to dawn hours to reduce exposure to mosquitoes.EEE is a rare but serious and potentially fatal disease that can affect people of all ages. EEE occurs sporadically in Massachusetts with the most recent outbreak years occurring from 2004-2006 and 2010-2012. There were 22 human cases of EEE infection during those two outbreak periods with 14 cases occurring among residents of Bristol and Plymouth counties. EEE virus has been found in 392 mosquito samples this year, many of them from species of mosquitoes capable of spreading the virus to people. Local communities are continuing truck-mounted spraying for mosquitoes. The Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources completed aerial mosquito spraying in parts of Bristol, Plymouth, Middlesex, and Worcester counties last month to help reduce public health risk. Aerial spraying has concluded for the season primarily due to evening temperatures being too low to permit effective aerial application. Spraying for mosquitoes does not eliminate the risk of EEE transmission and the public is asked to continue to follow personal protection practices.

BOSTON —

A fifth human case of Eastern Equine Encephalitis virus in Massachusetts has been diagnosed a man in his 70s from southwestern Middlesex County, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health said.

Officials in Ashland confirmed the patient is a resident of that town.

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As a result, the risk level in Ashland, Hopedale and Milford has been raised to critical and the risk level in Bellingham, Blackstone and Millville has been raised to high.

In total, there are 32 communities now at critical risk, 39 at high risk, and 121 at moderate risk for the EEE virus in Massachusetts.

There have also been nine confirmed cases of EEE this year in animals; eight horses and one goat.

All residents throughout the Commonwealth should continue to use mosquito repellent and those in high and critical risk communities should consider staying indoors during the dusk to dawn hours to reduce exposure to mosquitoes.

EEE is a rare but serious and potentially fatal disease that can affect people of all ages. EEE occurs sporadically in Massachusetts with the most recent outbreak years occurring from 2004-2006 and 2010-2012. There were 22 human cases of EEE infection during those two outbreak periods with 14 cases occurring among residents of Bristol and Plymouth counties.

EEE virus has been found in 392 mosquito samples this year, many of them from species of mosquitoes capable of spreading the virus to people.

Local communities are continuing truck-mounted spraying for mosquitoes. The Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources completed aerial mosquito spraying in parts of Bristol, Plymouth, Middlesex, and Worcester counties last month to help reduce public health risk.

Aerial spraying has concluded for the season primarily due to evening temperatures being too low to permit effective aerial application. Spraying for mosquitoes does not eliminate the risk of EEE transmission and the public is asked to continue to follow personal protection practices.